Yate Town secured a vital win in their promotion push as they beat fourth placed Evesham United at Lodge Road, writes Tom Mason.

The game ended with just 19 players on the pitch as Evesham had two men dismissed while Yate's Nick Peare also saw red in the first half but two first half penalties from David Sims-Burgess and a second half strike from sub Ollie Mehew helped the Bluebells secure a vital three points which left them level on points with leaders Moneyfields.

The result leaves Yate level on points with Monyfields at the top of the table after they beat Melkshem Town 3-1.

Yate Town boss Paul Britton handed a start to on loan Forest Green keeper Lewis Thomas, while striker Ollie Mehew was named among the substitutes.

The visitors began on the front foot, causing the hosts plenty of problems throughout the game and it didn’t take long for Evesham to take a deserved lead.

Striker Kane Simpson gave the away side the lead just nine minutes into the game, after being picked out at the back post by the impressive Marley Thomas.

Simpson, should have made it two just moments later, somehow firing over the bar from just 6 yards as they impressed early on.

The hosts tried to work some openings through the first half, but were largely limited to long range efforts, which caused very little danger to the away sides’ goal.

The Robins were so dominant for the open half-hour, but were reduced to ten men on 31 minutes as full back Linden Dovey was dismissed after being the last man as the Bluebells went through on goal.

Sims-Burgess, duly converted the spot kick, with a low strike into the bottom right corner to get the hosts level.

Just five minutes later the home side were also reduced to ten men, as captain Nick Peare was shown his marching orders after lunge on the keeper.

Yate were stronger following being reduced to ten men and had earned another penalty, Adam Price pushed in the box, before Sims-Burgess converted his second penalty, hitting it straight down the middle.

The away side started the second half the stronger without creating too many clear cut opportunities, knowing a third would put the game beyond Evesham.

Mehew was introduced shortly after half time and it didn’t take long for him to make an impact, he was played down the left, before picking out Jack Twyman, who repaid the favour, allowing for Mehew to calmly slot into the bottom corner.

Evesham kept pressing for a way back in the game, particularly in the shape of Thomas, who had set up their first goal as he looked to give his side a chance heading into the final few moments.

The away sides’ challenge was all but over with seven minutes remaining as Kai Fisher was dismissed for a second yellow, following an off the ball incident.

This allowed for the home side to see the game out brilliantly to claim a massive win at the top of the table.

Next up for the Bluebells is a trip Calthorpe Park to face 19th placed Fleet Town next weekend.

Yate Town: Thomas, Humphreys, Keightley, Peare ©, Ford, Boulton, Price, Guest, Bryant (Mehew 53), Sims-Burgess (Brooks 70), Twyman (Kamara 75)

Evesham United: Hannah, Dovey, Tunnicliff, Haskayne, Williams © (Turley 74), Fisher, Thomas, Davidge (Sidibe) , Simpson (Anson 46) , Davies, Simpson

Attendance: 390

Referee: Dale Wooton